The Best Restaurants in Kitchener

By Mia Brown

Kitchener, Ontario, has quietly blossomed into a fantastic food city, and I’ve had the pleasure of eating my way through its streets. Whether you're a local looking for something new or a visitor trying to understand what makes Kitchener tick, these restaurants will give you a great sense of the city’s culinary heartbeat.

1. Public Kitchen & Bar

Public Kitchen is a reflection of Kitchener’s vibe—unpretentious but full of surprises. The menu changes regularly, featuring seasonal ingredients in creative small plates. You’ll feel like you're at a cool friend’s dinner party where everyone’s a foodie.

2. Borealis Grille & Bar

Borealis is all about sustainability, serving up farm-to-table dishes that highlight Canadian flavors. It’s got that easy-going vibe, perfect for a night when you want to eat something locally sourced without feeling like you're saving the world.

3. Lancaster Smokehouse

Here’s where you go when you need to be transported to the Deep South without leaving Ontario. At Lancaster Smokehouse, the pulled pork, ribs, and brisket are no joke—so tender that you'll wonder if the kitchen is breaking some kind of barbecue law.

4. Red Ginger Modern Thai and Viet

If you’re after a bit of heat and bold flavors, Red Ginger delivers. The Pad Thai and Pho are standouts, and the minimalist decor keeps the focus where it should be—on the food.

5. Sushi Star

For sushi lovers, this all-you-can-eat spot feels almost too good to be true. The menu at Sushi Star is extensive, with fresh sashimi and inventive rolls that don’t just rely on wasabi to wake you up.

6. Arabesque Family Restaurant

Middle Eastern cuisine meets family-style comfort at Arabesque, with heaping portions of shawarma and kebabs that are perfect for sharing. Just make sure you save room for the baklava; you’ll be mad if you don’t.

7. Janet Lynn's Bistro

One of the more established names on the list, but still worth mentioning, Janet Lynn’s Bistro combines classic Canadian dishes with French flair. Think seared duck breast and the kind of wine list that makes you want to linger.

8. TWH Social

Attached to the Walper Hotel, TWH Social is the place for cocktails and elevated pub fare. It’s the kind of place where you go for drinks and end up staying for the burgers.

9. Pierogi House

Eastern European comfort food at its finest. Pierogi House offers everything from classic potato and cheese pierogies to more modern takes filled with things like cheddar and jalapeños. Not exactly light fare, but when has that ever been a bad thing?